Mechanism for feeding blanks



L. J. PULSE MECHANISM FOR FEEDING BLANKS Sept. 13, 1938.

Filed Oct. 15, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l Zhwentor Sept. 13, 1938. L. J. PULSE 2,130,291

MECHANISM FOR FEEDING BLANKS Filed Oct. 15, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Snventor By I qttomeg Patented Sept. 13, 1938 UNi'iED STATES eATENT OFFICE MECHANISM FOR FEEDING BLANKS corporation of Iowa Application October 15, 1936, Serial No. 105,793

14 Claims.

This invention is a novel feeder, particularly adapted for use in connection with button making machines of the type disclosed in Barry Pat-' ent No. 766,014, dated July 26, 1904, in which an endless series of button holding chucks are moved in an orbital path into a feeding position where the chucks are successively supplied with blanks and subsequently moved under a grinding Wheel; and the principal objects of the invention are to provide an automatic mechanism for such or similar machines involving a direct and positive drive for feeding blanks into the chucks or the like at a desired point in the orbital path of movement of the chucks; also to automatically position the chucks directly below the feeding point to insure that a blank will be properly deposited in the chuck.

I will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one practical embodiment thereof to enable others familiar with the art to adopt and use the same; and will summarize in the claims the novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:-

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the feeding and chuck positioning mechanism illustrating the drive therefor and its relation to the endless series of chucks of a button machine. Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the mechanism on the line 22, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the mechanism on the line 33, Fig. 1; and Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective details.

The conventional automatic button machine shown in the drawings includes an endless series of button holding chucks A carried in rotatable spindles B loosely mounted in chain housings C pivotally connected together as at D to form an endless chain of said housings C running around notched wheels EF, one wheel E being mounted on a drive shaft G carrying a worm wheel H driven in the direction of the arrow (Fig. l) by worm J on a shaft K driven as by a pulley L in the usual manner, while the other wheel F is loose on its shaft M. Spindles B usually have a loose fit within housings C permitting considerable play therein, a space N (Figs. 1 and 3) being provided between the spindles and housings. The lower ends of the spindles carry balls P moving upon cams Q in the usual manner, the above construction forming no part of mypresent invention.

The feeding mechanism shown consists of a stationary plate 5, preferably of circular shape, provided with an upstanding flange la, at its periphery, said plate I having an axial opening ib for a vertical shaft 2 which passes through a collar 3 which supports plate I, the collar 3 being secured to the underside of plate i and making a telescopic engagement with a bearing i for shaft 2 supported upon a bracket 5a on a cross member 5 extending between uprights ER of the button machine. The lower end of shaft 2 is journaled in a bearing bracket 4x mounted upon a lower cross member 5a: likewise mounted between the uprights RR. A set screw 6 is provided in the collar 3 for adjusting the vertical elevation of plate I on cross member 5, so that the plate I is disposed slightly above the tops of chucks A with a portion of its periphery overlapping the feeding point, such as S in Fig. 1, in the orbital path of chucks A.

In the plate I directly over the feeding point S is an arcuate slot lc, one end of which registers with the exact position of the chuck A at the feeding point S, the slot being elongated in the direction of'movement of the chucks beyond the feeding point. Slot to is of width sufficient to permit a button blank to drop through the slot i into the top of the underlying chuck A.

Rotatably mounted upon the plate I and in contact therewith, is a plate 1 having its periphery terminating within the upstanding flange la, said plate 1 being secured by screws to the lower end of a sleeve 8 adjustably mounted by means of a set screw 8a on the upper end of shaft 2, whereby as the shaft 2 is rotated, plate I will rotate therewith in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 1.

Shaft 2 is rotated with shaft G, but in the opposite direction, shaft 2 carrying a worm gear 9 bearing upon the top of member 4a: (Fig. 2) and meshing with a worm E6 on the shaft K; and as the Worms l0 and J, and the worm gears 9 and Hare of the same size, the shaft 2 is rotated at the same speed, and therefore in synchronism with the rotation of the chuck driving Wheels EF, and the plate '1 moves in the same direction as the chucks A past the feeding point S.

In the rotatable plate i adjacent its periphery are a series of holes la, ten being shown, disposed on a pitch diameter the same as that of the arcuate slot to in the fixed plate I, the holes la being spaced equal distances apart, and the center-to-center distance between holes being equal to the pitch of the button chucks A, whereby as the button chucks A travel past the feeding point S, the plate 7 will be revolved in perfect time therewith so that the holes la in the revolving plate which carry the button blanks, register with the chucks through slot Ic at feeding point S (Fig. 1).

The button blanks are placed in the hopper formed by plate I and flanges Ia, and the button making machine started, causing the chuck drive wheels E-F to rotate in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 1. Each hole Ia in the revolving plate '6 is filled with a blank as the plate revolves in the direction of the arrow, Fig. l, and as the blanks are carried around to feeding position S they drop through slot la in stationary plate I and into the underlying button chucks A which are then in position to receive the blanks.

An important feature of my machine is the means for controlling the buttons in the hopper formed by the plate I and flange fa. The revolving plate I rotates in a clockwise direction as shown by the arrow, Fig. l, and during rotation the button blanks are carried around with the plate until they come in contact with a bafiie plate I l, which is fixed and so inclined as to cause the blanks to be shifted laterally towards the periphery of plate I into position to insure filling the holes Ia which receive them, one blank at a time. As shown, baflle plate II is disposed substantially radially, and has a flange Ila at its outer end which is secured to the flange Ia, its inner end contacting the rotating collar 8. In the outer lower corner of baffle II is an opening IIb (Fig, 4;) above the pitch circle of the series of holes Ia in plate I, the opening I Ib permitting surplus blanks to pass beyond the baffle 1!.

Between the baffle II and the feedin point S is a bracket I2 having a flange In (Fig. 4) mounted on flange Ia, said bracket l2 carrying a pair of guide plates, I3 and I4, for the purpose of clearing the periphery of plate I of loose blanks, except those in the holes Ia, immediately before reaching the feeding point S. Guide plates I3 and I4 have their outer ends contacting with flange Ia so as to deflect the blanks which pass baflle plate I I inwardly toward the center of plate I so that these blanks will be carried on around with plate 'I and subsequently forced toward the periphery of plate I as they again contact with baffle plate II.

Thus as each blank reaches the feeding P int S the periphery of plate I is cleared of loose blanks to insure that only one blank will be deposited at a time in the underlying chuck A through slot Ic in fixed plate i; and as the plate I is rotated the loose blanks in the hopper are. subsequently forced to the periphery of the plate I by baffle II so as to fill the holes 1a to ensure that a blank will always be deposited in each chuck A at the proper moment. The elongation of slot Ic, in plate I in the direction of travel of the chucks is an added safety feature to ensure the proper depositing of blanks in the chucks at the feeding point S, for in event a blank should initially wedge or become stuck in the slot Ic or hole la at the feeding point, the elongation of the slot. Ic will somewhat increase the time during which the blank may drop into the moving chuck from the synchronously moving plate I.

I also provide means for automatically properly positioning the chucks A at the feeding point S, due to the play of the spindles B in the chain housings C occasioned by the spaces N (Figs. 1 and 3), it being found that in practice the spindles which carry the button chucks were not always in correct alignment to receive the blanks at feeding point S. A guide member I6, mounted on a fixed upright H, is horizontally positioned so as to be engaged by the upper ends of spindles B as the latter advance to and slightly beyond the feeding point S, the guide I6 engaging the inner peripheries of the spindles and preventing same from being deflected laterally inwardly away from the position of correct alignment with the registering holes la and slot Ic at feeding point S. Cooperating with guide I6 is a disk I8 carried by a collar I9 adjustably mounted by means of a set screw ISa on the shaft 2 below the cross member 5, the disk I8 thereby rotating in unison with the plate I of the feeding mechanism. Disk I8 is provided with semi-circular notches I8a concentric with the holes Ia in plate I as clearly indicated in Fig. 1, said notches I8a being of radius to suit the diameter of the spindles B, the disk I8 being so positioned on shaft 2 that the notches will embrace the spindles B at the feeding point S and hold the spindles in correct position longitudinally and laterally of the run of the series of spindles so that the chucks will always be in alignment with a hole Ia in plate I through slot Ic at the feeding point. In event a spindle when approaching the feeding point S should be lagging in its chain housing C, the related notch I8a, in disk I8 will, by cooperation with guide I6, cause the spindle to advance in its housing as the notch 18m embraces the spindle, thereby adjusting same to correct feeding position at point S. If the spindle is too far ahead the disk I8 will act to retard same at the feeding point S in a similar manner. Thus by the use of guide I6 and disk I8 the spindles B may be positioned to very close limits both longitudinally and laterally of the direction of travel of the chain, at the feeding point S.

In operation When the button machine is in operation plate I is rotated synchronously with and in the same direction as the movement of the underlying run of chucks A so that a hole Ia of plate I registers with each chuck through slot Ic of plate I at the feeding point S (Fig. 1), the chucks A being properly positioned beneath the feeding point S in their chain housings C by contact with the lateral adjusting guide I6 and the longitudinal adjusting disk IS. The button blanks placed in the hopper formed by plates I and flange Ia, are carried around in the direction of the arrow, Fig. l, by plate I, and any blanks which do not initially fall into the holes Ia will contact bafile plate II which shifts the loose blanks outwardly towards the periphery of plate I into the path of movement of theholes Ia thus insuring that all holes Ia. will receive a blank. Any surplus blanks at the periphery of plate I pass through hole Nb of baffle II as plate I rotates, and are deflec ed inwardly from the periphery of plate I by guides I3 and I4 thus clearing the periphery of loose blanks, except those in holes la, immediately before reaching the feeding point S. Thus in my mechanism only one blank is deposited at a time in each chuck A through slot Ia as the chucks reach the feeding point S.

As plate I is adjustable on the cross member 5, and rotatable plate I and guide disk I8 are adjustable on shaft 2, the feeding and chuck positioning mechanism may be readily adapted to suit various typesv and makes of button machines; and I do not limit my invention to use with the type illustrated in the drawings; nor do I limit my invention to the exact details shown, for obviously changes may be made therein within the scope of the claims.

I claim:-

1. Mechanism for feeding blanks comprising a. 75"

fixed member having a discharge opening constituting the feeding point; a second member movably mounted on the fixed member and supporting the blanks and having series of blank receiving holes therein adapted to register with the discharge opening; means overlying the second member for moving the second member; means for initially shifting the blanks on the second member towards the series of holes to fill the latter as same advance towards the feeding point; and means overlying the second member and interposed between the blank shifting means and the feeding point for clearing the second member of loose blanks adjacent the feeding point.

2. In mechanism as set forth in claim 1, said blank shifting means comprising a fixed baflie on the fixed member inclined with respect to the axis of movement of the second member so as to shift the blanks towards the holes, said baifle having an opening in its lower edge above the holes for the passage therethrough of surplus blanks.

3. In mechanism as set forth in claim 1, said clearing means comprising a guide on the fixed member inclined with respect to the axis of movement of the second member so as to shift the loose blanks towards the center of the second member.

4. In mechanism as set forth in claim 1, said discharge opening in the fixed member being substantially elongated beyond the feeding point in the direction of movement of the second member to increase the time in which the blanks may be discharged at the feeding point.

5. Mechanism for feeding blanks comprising a blank receiving hopper having a bottom plate provided with a discharge opening constituting the feeding point; a rotatable plate in the bottom of the hopper having a series of blank receiving holes therein disposed on a pitch circle of same radius as that of the discharge opening; means for rotating the rotatable plate whereby the holes thereof are successively brought into register with the discharge opening; means overlying the plate for initially shifting the blanks in the hopper into position to fill the holes of the rotatable plate as same advance towards the feeding point; and means overlying the plate and interposed between the shifting means and the feeding point for clearing the rotatable plate of loose blanks ad- J'acent the feeding point.

6. In mechanism as set forth in claim 5, said blank shifting means comprising a fixed bafiie in the hopper inclined so as to shift the blanks towards the pitch circle of the holes, said baflie having an opening in its lower edge above the holes for the passage therethrough of surplus blanks.

7. In mechanism as set forth in claim 5, said clearing means comprising a pair of fixer guides extending inwardly from the sides of the hopper disposed over the pitch circle and inclined so as to shift the loose blanks towards the center of the hopper.

8. In mechanism as set forth in claim 5, said discharge opening in the bottom being substantially elongated beyond the feeding point in the direction of rotation of the rotatable member to increase the time in which the blanks may be dis,

- charged at the feeding point.

9. In combination with a machine having a series of blank holding chucks and having means for moving same in an orbital path; mechanism for automatically delivering blanks to the chucks at a feeding point in their orbital path; and mechanism for aligning the chucks with the delivery mechanism at the feeding point comprising a fixed member engaging the chucks opposite the feeding point to position same laterally with respect to the orbital path of the series; a movable member engaging the chucks opposite the feeding point to position same longitudinally with respect to the said orbital path; and means for driving the movable member in synchronism with the delivery mechanism.

10. In combination with a machine having a series of blank receiving chucks and having means for moving same in an orbital path; mechanism for automatically delivering blanks to the chucks at a feeding point in their orbital path comprising a blank receiving hopper overlying the path of the chucks and having a discharge opening therein at the feeding point; a rotatable plate in the bottom of the hopper having a series of blank receiving holes therein adapted to register with the discharge opening; means for rotating the plate in synchronism with the movement of the chucks whereby a hole is brought into register with the discharge opening as each chuck enters the feeding point; and mechanism for aligning the chucks with the discharge opening when reaching the feeding point comprising a fixed member engaging the chucks opposite the feeding point to position same laterally with re spect to the orbital path of the series; a movable member engaging the chucks opposite the feeding point to position same longitudinally with respect to the said orbital path; and means for driving the movable member in synchronism with the delivery mechanism.

11. In combination with a machine having a series of blank receiving chucks and having means for moving same in an orbital path; mechanism for automatically delivering blanks to the chucks at a feeding point in their orbital path comprising a blank receiving hopper overlying the path of the chucks and having a discharge opening therein at the feeding point; a rotatable plate in the bottom of the hopper having a series of blank receiving holes therein adapted to register with the discharge opening; means for rotating the plate in synchronism with the movement of the chucks whereby a hole is brought into register with the discharge opening as each chuck enters the feeding point; and mechanism for aligning the chucks with the discharge opening when reaching the feeding point comprising a fixed guide engaging the chucks opposite the feeding point to position same laterally with respect to the orbital path of the series; a disk having notches in its periphery engaging the chucks opposite the feeding point to position same longitudinally with respect to the said orbital path; and means for driving the disk in synchronism with the rotatable delivery plate.

12. In combination with a machine having a series of blank receiving chucks and having means for moving same in an orbital path; mechanism for automatically delivering blanks to the chucks at a feeding point in their orbital path comprising a blank receiving hopper overlying the path of the chucks and having a discharge opening therein at the feeding point; a rotatable plate in the bottom of the hopper having a series of blank receiving holes therein adapted to register with the discharge opening; means for rotating the plate in synchronism with the movement of the chucks whereby a hole is brought into register with the discharge opening as each chuck enters the feeding point; and mechanism for aligning the chucks with the discharge opening when reaching the feeding point comprising a fixed guide engaging one side of the chucks op posite the feeding point to position same lat erally with respect to the orbital path of the series; a cooperating disk having notches in its periphery engaging the other side of the chucks opposite the feeding point to position same longitudinally with respect to the said orbital path; and means for driving the disk in synchroni-sm with the rotatable delivery plates.

13. In combination with a machine having a series of blank receiving chucks and having means for moving same in an orbital path; mechanism for automatically delivering blanks to the chucks at a feeding point in their orbital path comprising a blank receiving hopper overlying the path of the chucks and having a discharge opening therein at the feeding point; a rotatable plate in the bottom of the hopper having a series of blank receiving holes therein adapted to register with the discharge opening; means for rotating the plate in synchronism with the movement of the chucks whereby a hole is brought into register with the discharge opening as each chuck enters the feeding point; and mechanism for aligning the chucks with the discharge opening when reaching the feeding point, means in the hopper adapted to shift the blanks on the plate outwardly towards the blank receiving holes thereof,

said means having a recess permitting surplus blanks in the way of the holes to pass beyond the said means.

14. In combination with a machine having a series of blank receiving chucks and having means for moving same in an orbital path; mechanism for automatically delivering blanks to the chucks at a feeding point in their orbital path comprising a blank receiving hopper overlying the path .of the chucks and having a discharge opening therein at the feeding point; a rotatable plate in the bottom of the hopper having a series of blank receiving holestherein adapted to register with the discharge opening; means for rotating the plate in synchronism with the movement of the chucks whereby a hole is brought into register with the discharge opening as each chuck enters the feeding point; and mechanism for aligning the chucks with the discharge opening when reaching the feeding point, means in the hopper adapted to shift the blanks on the plate outwardly towards the blank receiving holes thereof, said means having a recess permitting surplus blanks in the way of the holes to pass beyond the said means, and means in the hopper between the shifting means and discharge opening and overlying the holes and adapted to move the passed surplus blanks in way of the holes inwardly towards the center of the plate.

LYSLE J. PULSE. 

